Explanation
Background: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to enter into a single event sponsorship agreement for $50,000.00 with Ohio Black Expo, a local non-profit organization, in support of their Ohio Black Expo week of programming.
The Ohio Black Expo will take place on May 23-24, 2026, and includes a business conference, youth summit, and more. The Ohio Black Expo organization’s mission is to improve the quality of life of African Americans in Ohio by establishing and encouraging an independent, self-help approach to problem solving.
The City’s support for the Ohio Black Expo event may support personnel, services, and supplies costs. No grant funds will be used for the purchase of any food or beverages. The City’s support in advance of the event is necessary in order for appropriate marketing, deposits, and rentals to take place before the expo week.
Contract Compliance: The Ohio Black Expo, Vendor# 051019, CC-051019 (Expiration Date: 11/19/2026)
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested due to the time sensitivity of the event sponsorship, as the Black Expo takes place in May 2026.
Fiscal Impact: Funding for this agreement is available in the General Fund ($50,000).
Title
To authorize the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to enter into a single event sponsorship agreement with Ohio Black Expo, a local non-profit organization, in support of the Ohio Black Expo event week; to authorize the expenditure of $50,000.00 within the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council seeks to support economic and workforce development for underserved communities in Columbus, including the Black community; and
WHEREAS, Ohio Black Expo’s programming promotes economic development, workforce development, youth engagement, and those in the STEM, arts, and health fields; and
WHEREAS, the Ohio Black Expo is a four-day event with a business conference, youth summit, family experience, culture festival, and more; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into this single event sponsorship agreement to ensure the timely support of community events, the Black Expo takes place in May 2026, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion is hereby authorized to enter into a single event sponsorship agreement with Ohio Black Expo in support of their Ohio Black Expo event week, in an amount not to exceed $50,000.00.
SECTION 2. That per the action authorized in section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $50,000.00 or so much thereof that may be needed is authorized in Fund 1000 General Fund, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.